Is the Leica M7 worth it to upgrade,to you, from the M6? Comments appreciated.

Eddie

-- Edward Steinberg (es323@msn.com), April 25, 2002

Answers

Eddie, are looking for someone to talk you into buying one, or out of buying one?

I talked to a guy I know the other day who has an M7. He's a very knowledgable guty who owns a camera shop. The impression I got was that he was a bit underwhelmed by the camera. The AE feature is just not something a Leica M needs to make it complete.

It's a nice camera, though. I played with it a few minutes. Very solid. Feels good like a Leica. And when set on AE it seems to do what it was designed to do very well. But, it doesn't blow your socks off.

If I found myself with a big wad of disposable cash maybe I could spring for one. But it's not a camera that one lusts after.

Hope this helps.

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), April 25, 2002.

I simply want to get a feel about the M7 from people who have used it or own one. I know that this forum gives me straight, honest answers mostly based on experience of people who know what they are talking about.

Eddie

-- Edward Steinberg (es323@msn.com), April 25, 2002.

Eddie,

My experience with the M7 almost exactly parallels that of Dennis. Don't own one but have handled one.

If your shooting style could benefit from the AE capabilities (speed), or perhaps you shoot a lot of chrome where the accuracy that an electronic shutter provides would be beneficial, than its probably a good step up.

I'll probably wait a little while however. First a year or so to see if any bugs show up and are fixed now that it is in consumer hands, then another year or so for them to have rebates and be included in Leica Days.

I'm cheap I guess but not in a hurry.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerome R. Pfile, Jr. (JerryPfile@msn.com), April 25, 2002.

Eddie-

Pat and I bought one. So far, all of our slides have been accurately exposed. Personally, I like the AE, for you can set the apature for either deep DOF or shallow DOF and let the stepless shutter perform its miracles. Pat can use the M7 in an M6 role. In unique siruations, I can use an incident meter to set both apature and shutter speed.

Simply said: This is a Three- Way camera. Nice.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), April 25, 2002.

I've appreciated the AE function of the M7 in fast paced situations with much contrast. That said I must say the total mechanical "function" of the M6 is a real security point when I'm far from my battery supply. I too will use a light meter(one single AA- easily obtainable around the world in small towns), but the ability to estimate the light if caught without power and have your camera respond is priceless and has in a few cased made the shoot.... I do feel the M7 is a great Leica but know which one I would pick if I could only have one....

-- gary brown (drdad1111@yahoo.com), April 26, 2002.

When next I am in the Leica purchasing mood, an M7 will be my choice whether an M6 is available or not. I appreciate the benefits of a more accurate shutter and the AP-AE metering automation is very handy to me.

Godfrey

-- Godfrey (ramarren@bayarea.net), April 26, 2002.

Hi

Just my very personal view - I own two, having upgraded from M6 (classics). I would say as long as you remember to keep spare batteries (and this to my mind is not a hardship), then the M7 gives you more choices of shooting styles than the M6 - you get manual and AE. The more accurate shutter is also a plus if you are shooting chromes. What to me is the greatest advantage with the AE is that it releases me from the derivative step of having to set the shutter speed after deciding the aperture. You of course need to know the meter and know what to do in unusual lighting situations, but for me 99% of the time the exposures come out fine, and I find myself concentrating more on composition, which is my own personal challenge

Greg

-- Gregory Goh (GregoryGoh@hotmail.com), April 26, 2002.

I have one on order, though it hasn't come in yet. BUT, I would never discard my other M's. To me the M7 is a supplement not a replacement.

-- Tim Franklin (tim_franklin@mac.com), April 26, 2002.

I'd suggest that it also depends on which lenses you use. If you use wide angles a lot (24 and shorter), then AE is less useful as the meter covers too wide an area. If you are using mostly 50 and longer lenses, then perhaps the AE is a boon. The 35 is probably the break even point.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), April 26, 2002.

I own an M7 it is actually the first camera that I have ever bought. since beeing a poor kid I wanted to make pictures and now that I have come into some money I bought myself the best money can buy. my advise is stop comparing. an M7 is a great camera and it makes you feel like a great photographer as the results almost fool proof. It lets you concentrate on the picture /composition /and moment instead of shutter speed and light conditions. ofcourse there are thousands of people saying a mechanical M6 is more pure leica. But do not forget that we are talking about making good pictures and not owning the purest camera.

-- no no (soho852@hotmail.com), April 26, 2002.

No No! (in both senses) I think we are not talking about making good pictures, but owning (or not owning) the purest camera.

-- Michael Kastner (kastner@zedat.fu-berlin.de), April 26, 2002.

Heres my 2 cents worth. If you are getting an M for the first time and the toss up is between a NEW M6ttl or a NEW M7, then Id go for a M7, but if you are buying 2nd hand then, I would go for a m6 ttl. If you already have a m6, then Id spend the money on another lens!

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), April 26, 2002.

If the Konica Hexar RF did not exist I might already have bought an M7. Eventually I will probably replace my 2 M6 classics with a single M7 0.72, which will get the 1.25x magnifier and be used with 90 and 135 lenses (if Hexar were to break down, then I'd take off the 1.25x and use the M7 as backup for the Tri-Elmar as well). But that will only happen when the prices of M7's have settled into their post- feeding-frenzy level which I expect will be at least $200 less than now. If Konica made an 0.72 version I wouldn't think of buying an M7.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 26, 2002.

I used to use AE back in the '80s, but since then I've switched to all-manual photography. The M7 would be a "downgrade" in my book.

Joe

-- Joe Buechler (jbuechler@toad.net), April 26, 2002.

since you say "upgrade" I suspect you own an all manual Leica M- series. Regardless if you have a old M3, M4 or M6/TTL, if you are looking for brand new reliable camera under warranty with perhaps more accurate shutter, definitely more flexible (manual or AE), faster flash sync, I think "upgrading" makes sense.

Personally, if I buy a new Leica body it will be a M7. I think prices need to come down though.

-- pat (modlabs@yahoo.com), April 26, 2002.

I'm totally taken with my new M7. I share all the other positive feelings expressed about it in this thread. It's faster to use than an M6, I like the electronic shutter, the exposures are bang-on, and I like the shutter readout in the finder (oh, and the switch :-). I think it's a clear winner, and as soon as the .58 model comes out I'll be getting one. At that point two M6's and my Hexar will go up for sale. The only M6 I'll keep is the .85 classic.

For anyone contemplating buying a new M, I don't think there's any reason to look at an M6.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), April 26, 2002.

I can think of about 700 of them right now.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), April 26, 2002.

Complicated question... what is the objective to be more productive photographer? Then the answer is probably yes. How much more productive well... its marginal - unless you are among the group that squeezes every ounce out of their equipment. The M7 gives you more options. If your objective is collectibility .. I think the answer is don't bother - get an m3,m4 or even better an m4 black paint!

-- John (johnlktan@yahoo.com), April 26, 2002.

Jay, obviously financial factors come into play. However, if the extra cost isn't too big of an issue, thenm purely on the basis of comparing the cameras the M7 is a clear winner. IMO it's Leica's first home run since the original M6.

As an afterthought - my comments apply mainly to new purchases. If one is contemplating an upgrade from an existing M6, then the $$$ play a much bigger role. On balance, one would probably be better advised to spend the $1500 upgrade cost on film and plane tickets.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), April 26, 2002.

Regardless of what others say....

.....do you think that the added M7 features would be beneficial to YOU?.......do you have the required funds necessary to finance such a trade?........if "yes", please visit your local dealer to make a purchase.......if "no", well, the answer is not "yes".

-- Kristian (leicashot@hotmail.com), April 26, 2002.

Edward, In a word no. Upgrade has more to do with want than need. Your photos will not improve, only practice will do that. With a handheld camera your big concern is your shutter speed. I always set it first and leave it there to the extent I can and set the aperture to fine tune the light. DOF is not so great a concern to me in M style photgraphy, sharpness and focus to a specific plane are.

-- Bob Haight (rhaigh5748@aol.com), April 26, 2002.